Twenty-three police officers who were named as respondents in the killing of the aide of former Biliran Representative Glenn Chong failed to show up during Thursday’s (June 6) start of the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In spite of the subpoenas which directed them to appear at the hearing, representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) legal department attended during the hearing.

During the hearings, PNP lawyers sought to push back the filing of the counter-affidavits which the DOJ panel of prosecutors granted and set on June 17.

The case concerns the PNP operation last December in Cainta, Rizal which resulted in the killing Chong’s aide Richard Santillan and his female companion Gessamyn Cassing.

“The concerted acts of the above police officers, before, during and after the death of (Santillan and Casing), indubitably show causal relation, thus pointing to a joint purpose, a unity of action and a community of interest – to kill Santillan and Casing,” read the complaint filed by the NBI.

Named as respondents in the complaint are Calabarzon regional director Brig. Gen Edward Caranza and 22 other policemen.

In the complaint, Carranza has been accused along with three others of committing obstruction of justice.

While, Capt. John Russel Barnacha, Lt. Sandro Ortega and 14 others were accused of two counts of murder and one count of planting of evidence.

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